Samaritan Health Archives

April 29, 2025April 29, 2025

February and March 2025 DAISY®, and BEE Award Recipients

Graphic of DAISY and BEE winners February 2025

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for February and March 2025. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who are excellent every day, both at the hospital and outpatient clinics.

Allison Howard, a Registered Nurse (RN) in Samaritan’s Emergency Department, received the DAISY Award for February. Heather Berry, a Registered Nurse (RN) in Samaritan’s Surgical Services, received the DAISY Award for March. Beth Hayes, Radiologic Technologist, Samaritan Medical Center, received the BEE Award for February. Veronica (Harley) Plaschka, Central Sterilization Technician in Samaritan’s Surgical Services, received the BEE Award for March.

Howard’s nomination was provided by the parent of a patient who expressed their gratitude for compassion and advocacy of their loved one during their time at the hospital.

Berry was nominated by a colleague who explained the nurse’s commitment to helping others and dedication to the profession.

For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Howard and Berry were presented with certificates commending them as extraordinary nurses. They each received a DAISY Award pin, and a symbolic sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” which is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of this sculpture has also been installed in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan Medical Center in honor of all DAISY and BEE Award winners to come. It was purchased using funds donated by the Samaritan Auxiliary.

Hayes was nominated by a colleague for being helpful and being a champion for care for all the patients she encounters. She was acknowledged for her willingness to learn and desire to improve her own career through education and training.

Plaschka was nominated by a colleague who expressed the importance of a job well done by someone who works behind the scenes to ensure quality and patient safety through proper cleansing of surgical instruments.

Both awardees were presented with a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with other tokens of gratitude.

These awards will continue to be presented throughout the year, and patients, families, or colleagues can submit nominations at any time. To make a nomination or to learn more about the Samaritan DAISY and BEE Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.

###

Allison Howard, RN DAISY Winner February 2025

Pictured here, from left to right, are Beth Hayes, February 2025 BEE Awardee, Allison Howard, February 2025 DAISY Awardee, Heather Berry, and Veronica Plaschka, March 2025 DAISY and BEE Awardees. Congratulations.

About Samaritan Medical Center

Samaritan Medical Center (Watertown, New York) is a 290-bed not-for-profit community medical center, offering a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services. From primary and emergency care to highly specialized medical and surgical services, such as cancer treatment, neonatal intensive care, behavioral health and addiction services, and imaging services, Samaritan Medical Center and its team of healthcare professionals proudly serves the medical needs of our civilian and military community. Quality, compassion, and safety are the basic principles by which exceptional care is delivered at Samaritan.

About The DAISY Foundation

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 3,900 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care Nurses, Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects and for nurses participating in medical missions. More information is available at http://www.DAISYfoundation.org.

April 21, 2025April 21, 2025

February 2025 OWL Award Recipients

Graphic of Mercy Goodridge, CNA and Chad Wilson, Food Services

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its outstanding workers in long term care (OWL) Award recipients for February 2025.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Mercy Goodridge at Samaritan Summit Village and Food Service Worker Chad Wilson at Samaritan Keep Home won the OWL Award for their respective facilities.

Goodridge was nominated for the OWL Award by a resident who expressed their appreciation:

“She cares about the details. She is the most gentle and caring person I know. She is patient.”

Wilson was nominated for the OWL Award by a fellow caregiver who said:

“Chad shows up every day and gives his all to improve our residents’ meals and lives. His caring nature and dedication make him a valuable employee.”

Goodridge and Wilson received certificates and appreciation tokens during recognition ceremonies at their respective facilities.

These awards will be presented throughout the year. Patients, families, and colleagues can submit nominations at any time. To nominate someone or to learn more about the Samaritan DAISY, BEE, and OWL Awards, please visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.

###

Mercy Goodridge, CNA at SSV, earns the February 2025 OWL Award

Chad Wilson, SKH Food Services Worker, earns the February 2025 OWL Award

Pictured here, from left to right, are February 2025 OWL awardees Mercy Goodridge, CNA, and Chad Wilson, Food Service.

About Samaritan’s Long Term Care Services

Caregivers at Samaritan Summit Village and Samaritan Keep Home provide round-the-clock skilled nursing care and significant assistance with the activities of daily life. Nursing homes have nursing staff on duty 24 hours a day to help individuals meet their daily physical, social and psychological needs. A licensed physician supervises each resident’s care and therapy, including speech, occupational, and physical therapy are available to provide rehabilitation services. Samaritan Summit Village also offers Assisted Living with six neighborhoods and apartments that are comfortable, functional, and safe. This facility is for those who need a little extra help while continuing an independent lifestyle.

April 1, 2025April 1, 2025

January 2025 DAISY®, and BEE Award Recipients

Graphic of January 2025 Daisy and Bee Award Winners

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for January 2025. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who are excellent every day, both at the hospital and outpatient clinics.

Briana Gryglik, a Registered Nurse (RN) in Samaritan’s Emergency Department, received the DAISY Award, and Janeen Lee, clinic office support at the Adams Family Health Center, received the BEE Award.

Gryglik’s nomination stemmed from a patient encounter while she was a Graduate Nurse (GN) in Samaritan’s Progressive Care Unit (PCU). The person who nominated Gryglik expressed thanks for her attentiveness and compassionate care.

For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Gryglik was presented with a certificate commending her as an extraordinary nurse, a DAISY Award pin, and a symbolic sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” which is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of this sculpture has also been installed in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan Medical Center in honor of all DAISY and BEE Award winners to come. It was purchased using funds donated by the Samaritan Auxiliary.

Lee was nominated for the BEE Award by Donna Edwards, Operations Manager for the Adams Family Health Center, saying:

“She is extremely patient-centered and puts so much effort into ensuring that a high standard of care is given to each and every one of our patients.”

Lee was presented with a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with other tokens of gratitude.

###

Photo of Janeen Lee, January 2025 BEE award winner

Pictured here, from left to right, are January 2025 awardees Briana Gryglik, Registered Nurse, and Janeen Lee, clinic office support.

About Samaritan Medical Center

About The DAISY Foundation The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 3,900 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care Nurses, Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects and for nurses participating in medical missions. More information is available at http://www.DAISYfoundation.org

March 20, 2025March 20, 2025

Samaritan Medical Center and Kinney Homecare Launch “Delivery at Discharge” Program to Streamline Discharges for Patients

Watertown, NY –Samaritan Medical Center, in partnership with Kinney Homecare is proud to announce the official launch of the “Delivery at Discharge” Program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance patient care. The program is a joint venture between Kinney Homecare and Samaritan Medical Center, offering inpatients the convenience of receiving both medications and durable medical equipment (DME) – such as wheelchairs, walkers, and other essential items – delivered directly to their hospital rooms prior to discharge. This new service aims to streamline the discharge process, improve patient satisfaction, and make the transition home smoother and safer.

Since the beginning of 2025, the program has been in a successful pilot phase on the largest inpatient medical/surgical unit at Samaritan Medical Center, known as 4Pavilion. The pilot has proven to be an effective means of ensuring patients have the necessary medication and medical equipment when they return home, contributing to a better recovery and reducing readmission rates. Samaritan inpatients can choose to participate in this service as it is completely optional. If patients decide to use the service while at Samaritan Medical Center, they have no further obligation to use Kinney’s to fill their prescriptions after their inpatient stay.

On average, between four and seven patients daily have taken advantage of the optional program, highlighting its positive impact on patient care. Feedback from patients and staff has been overwhelmingly positive, with many patients expressing gratitude for the convenience of having their medications and equipment ready to go upon discharge.

“Our priority is always to provide the best care possible for our patients, and this collaboration with Kinney Drugs helps us do just that,” said Samaritan’s Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President for Patient Care Services, John Green. “By ensuring that our patients have everything they need as they transition home, we can help reduce unnecessary stress and ensure they have a smooth recovery.”

“At Kinney Drugs, we are committed to providing our customers with convenient, accessible healthcare services,” said John M. Marraffa Jr., RPh, President, Kinney Drugs. “This program exemplifies our dedication to supporting the local community and ensuring that our patients are well-prepared and supported in their journey to recovery. We are excited to see the positive impact this initiative is already having.”

The success of the pilot has encouraged both organizations to expand the program further, with plans to extend the offering to more inpatient units within Samaritan Medical Center in the near future.

For more information about the Delivery at Discharge” Prescription Program or to inquire about eligibility, patients can speak with their care team at Samaritan Medical Center.

About Samaritan Medical Center

About Kinney Drugs Founded in Gouverneur, NY in 1903, today the independent, employee-owned company operates 95 stores in New York and Vermont. Kinney Drugs is part of the KPH Healthcare Services family of companies, a national provider of pharmaceutical and healthcare services with complementary businesses in both the retail and commercial segments of the industry. KPH is comprised of eight divisions: (1) Kinney Drugs, a chain of full-service drug stores located throughout New York and Vermont; (2) HealthDirect Pharmacy Services, which serves long-term care and alternative care needs; (3) ProAct, Inc., a pharmacy benefit management company with sales offices throughout the country and a mail-order pharmacy; (4) Noble Health Services, a specialty pharmacy that dispenses medications used to treat complex and chronic diseases; (5) Kinnect™, an on-site clinical care pharmacy; (6) Aristacare, an infusion therapy pharmacy; (7) HomeLife specialized nursing support for in-home infusion services; and (8) Kinney Homecare, a durable medical equipment company. KPH Healthcare Services is an employee-owned company with approximately 4,500 employees that provides the highest quality pharmacy and healthcare services. Every aspect of KPH’s business is guided by the values of excellence, moral responsibility, and community spirit. Learn more at www.kinneydrugs.com.

February 17, 2025February 17, 2025

December 2024 OWL Award Recipients

Graphic of December 2024 OWL Award Winners Jennifer Favry and Madison Spicer

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its outstanding workers in long term care (OWL) Award recipients for December 2024.

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) Jennifer Favry at Samaritan Summit Village and Madison Spicer at Samaritan Keep Home won the OWL Award for their respective facilities.

Favry was nominated for the OWL Award by a resident who expressed the deepest appreciation for Favry’s smile and compassionate care, as well as dedication to helping the residents.

Spicer was nominated for the OWL Award by a fellow caregiver who said:

“Madison goes above and beyond when it comes to the residents at the Keep Home. She is always picking up extra shifts to help. The residents and their families absolutely love her. Madison is a true inspiration to this facility and is going to continue her nursing career with the Licensed Practical Nurse program.”

Favry and Spicer were presented with certificates and tokens of appreciation during recognition ceremonies at their respective facilities.

These awards will continue to be presented throughout the year, and nominations can be submitted by patients, families, or colleagues at any time. To make a nomination or to learn more about the Samaritan DAISY, BEE, and OWL Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.

###

Photo of Jen Favry, CNA, SSV OWL Winner Dec 2024

Photo of Madison Spicer December OWL Award SKH

Pictured here, from left to right, are December 2024 OWL awardees Jennifer Favry, CNA, and Madison Spicer, CNA.

About Samaritan’s Long Term Care Services

February 14, 2025February 17, 2025

Samaritan to Host Dinner to Recognize Physicians

Dr. Jack D. Rush to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Watertown, New York – Samaritan Medical Center will host its Physician Recognition Dinner on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. The event, sponsored by the Samaritan Medical Center Medical Executive Committee and the Samaritan Foundation, takes place each year around and in celebration of National Doctors’ Day, honoring both active and retired physicians for their tireless dedication to the community. National Doctors’ Day is observed annually on March 30.

As part of the evening, one physician will be presented with the eleventh Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes a Samaritan doctor for their leadership and long-term service to the health and well-being of Northern New York. Whether through private practice, hospital duties, leadership roles on the Board or Medical Staff, or volunteer efforts, Samaritan physicians contribute their time and expertise to making the community a better place to live.

This year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award is Dr. Jack D. Rush, a family medicine physician, in recognition of his 41 years of service to both Samaritan Medical Center and the surrounding St. Lawrence River community.

Raised in Oakford, Indiana, Dr. Rush earned his medical degree from the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine in 1980, through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program. He went on to complete a residency in family medicine at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Following his residency, Dr. Rush fulfilled his NHSC commitment by providing primary care services in Clayton, NY, a designated Health Professional Shortage Area. He worked with North Jefferson Health Systems on Strawberry Lane starting in 1983. In 1990, he and Dr. Stephen Grybowski established French Creek Family Medicine at the same location. By March 1992, Dr. Rush joined The House of the Good Samaritan, which later became part of Samaritan Family Health Center within the Samaritan Health system. He retired recently after spending his entire Samaritan career at this location in Clayton.

Since joining Samaritan Medical Center’s medical staff in 1983, Dr. Rush has provided exceptional primary care services for more than four decades. He served as Chairman of the Department of Medicine in 2010, President of the Medical Staff in 2013 and 2014, and was a long-time member of the Peer Review Committee. He is currently a board member for Hospice of Jefferson County and serves as Vice Chair of the North Country Initiative Board.

“This event provides a special opportunity to recognize our physicians and celebrate the critical role they play in caring for our patients and our community,” said Thomas H. Carman, president and CEO of Samaritan Medical Center. “Dr. Rush’s remarkable career, spanning over 40 years, has touched the lives of countless individuals. His unwavering commitment to the well-being of his patients and colleagues has made him an invaluable asset to the medical community and the families he has served.”

Dr. Rush lives in Redwood with his wife, Laurie. They have three daughters: Kim, Caitlin, and Elizabeth.

The Physician Recognition Dinner will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Samaritan Summit Village in Watertown. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $60 per person. For more information or to RSVP, please visit www.samaritanhealth.com/physiciandinner, or call 315-785-4584.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2013. Past recipients of this award include Dr. Karl Komar (2024); Dr. Maja Lundborg-Gray (2023); Dr. Jan Turcotte (2022); Dr. LaVerne VanDeWall (2019); Dr. Al Maloney (2018); Dr. John Poggi (2017); Dr. Collins F. Kellogg, Jr. (2016); Dr. David P. Rechlin (2015); Dr. David O. VanEenenaam (2014); Dr. Ronald G. Perciaccante (2013).

###

December 20, 2024December 20, 2024

Samaritan Announces Volunteer Service Award Winner

A group photo showing HIVE award winner Olivia Rappel and Samaritan staff members

Watertown, N.Y. – At Samaritan, there are volunteers who serve at the hospital, long term care facilities, special events, off-site offices and on various boards of our respective entities. Initiated in 2023, the HIVE (Helpful Indeed – Volunteering Excellence) Award is a way to honor those volunteers who have contributed an extraordinary level of dedication and shown exceptional service to Samaritan while consistently demonstrating the organization’s HEART values, which are Honest, Empathetic, Accountable, Respect, and Trustworthy.

Why HIVE? The beehive is symbolic of teamwork, unity, growth, and development. At Samaritan, we are all caregivers, including those who have committed to showing extraordinary compassionate care as a volunteer. We need each other to care for our community.

The HIVE Award complements the existing DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®, the BEE Award (Being Excellent Every Day) honoring other outstanding staff members who support patient care, at the hospital and all outpatient clinics, and the OWL (Outstanding Workers in Long Term Care) for the team of caregivers at the Samaritan Keep Home and Samaritan Summit Village. Altogether, we recognize the amazing caregivers of the Samaritan Health System and the culture we embrace.

The recipient for the third quarter of 2024 is Olivia Rappel. Olivia is a volunteer with Samaritan’s Employee Health team in the Human Resources department.

A Samaritan Caregiver of the Employee Health team nominated Rappel saying, “Olivia has been helping our team for the last five months and has been such an incredible asset to our departments. She is kind, sincere and conscientious and her attention to detail allows us to give her different tasks with minimal instruction. We all enjoy having Olivia around as she has such a positive attitude and will go out of her way to help where needed.”

Those interested in recognizing a Samaritan volunteer may submit an online nomination at samaritanhealth.com/hive there are also paper nomination forms available at the Medical Center and Samaritan Summit Village gift shops.

Pictured here is Olivia Rappel, HIVE Award recipient at Samaritan Medical Center for the third quarter of 2024.

December 18, 2024December 18, 2024

October 2024 DAISY®, and BEE Award Recipients

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY, and BEE Award recipients for October 2024. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members for being excellent every day, both at the hospital and outpatient clinics.

Kristin Navarra, a Registered Nurse (RN) and critical care clinical nurse educator of Samaritan Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit, received the DAISY Award. Bobbie McKnight a Nursing Assistant (NA) of Samaritan Medical Center’s Four Pavilion Unit, received the BEE Award.

Samaritan Medical Center’s Manager of Education Development Emily Soderquist nominated Navarra for the DAISY Award saying:

“I am consistently impressed with her organization, empathetic nature, and most obvious- compassion that she has for the nursing field. She is a realist; she knows what the nursing team needs and anticipates their challenges and helps her team prepare for them. She is an empath, understanding the challenges of everyday life as a nurse, and helps her team to make the time to learn new things that will improve their knowledge of patient care. She is a teammate, always looking out for the other educators, thinking of ways to help all – not only those that she works directly with. She is a learner, not only can she share her knowledge better than most people I know, but she is also always striving to learn as well.”

For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Navarra was presented with a certificate commending her as an extraordinary nurse, a DAISY Award pin, and a symbolic sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” which is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of this sculpture has also been installed in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan Medical Center in honor of all DAISY and BEE Award winners to come. It was purchased using funds donated by the Samaritan Auxiliary.

McKnight was nominated for the BEE Award by Joyce James, a Registered Nurse (RN) on Samaritan’s Four Pavilion Unit, saying:

“One of Bobbie’s greatest strengths is how she manages our behavioral patients waiting for placement. She is frequently able to get them to participate in personal care and calm them down when nobody else can. She treats this patient population with the utmost dignity and respect as she would one of her own family members. She gains trust with our patients and makes them feel safe.”

McKnight was presented with a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with other tokens of gratitude.

These awards will continue to be presented throughout the year, and nominations can be submitted by patients, families, or colleagues at any time. To make a nomination or to learn more about the Samaritan DAISY, and BEE Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.

Portrait of Kirstan Navarra, RN. Daisy Award Winner for October 2024.

Portrait of Bobbie McKnight, NA, Bee Award winner October 2024.

Pictured here, from left to right, are October 2024 awardees Kristin Navarra, RN, critical care clinical nurse educator, and Bobbie McKnight, NA, Samaritan Medical Center’s Four Pavilion Unit.

###

About Samaritan Medical Center

About The DAISY Foundation

November 8, 2024November 8, 2024

24th Annual CMN Radiothon Raises Funds for Local Children

Radiothon check presentation to Children's Miracle Network. The photo shows Jhonny Spezanno, from the Border radio station, Angie VanWormer, CMN of NNY director, and Lance, from 94 Rock radio station, holding the $134,800 check from the 2024 Radiothon campaing.

Watertown, NY — The 24th Annual Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Radiothon raised $134,800 during this year’s three-day event, hosted by Community Broadcasters stations The Border 106.7 and 94 Rock.

All donations made to CMN stay local to purchase pediatric medical equipment and support child-centered projects at Samaritan Medical Center, and also to provide financial assistance to families in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties who have a child facing a medical crisis.

During the annual event, radio DJs Johnny Spezzano and Lance Hale ask listeners to donate to help sick and injured children. “The generous response from the North Country is inspirational. Johnny Spezzano is unmatched, and I am proud of him and Lance Hale for their dedication and hard work on behalf of CMN,” Jim Leven, president of Community Broadcasters, said. “To everyone who tuned in and supported our efforts and, most importantly, supported local kids during the 24th Radiothon, thank you.”

CMN is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of children across the North Country. “It’s incredible what our community can do when we come together for children,” said Angie VanWormer, Children’s Miracle Network director, Samaritan Medical Center. “With the help of all who donate and support CMN, we are changing kids’ health and the future.”

For more information about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, contact Samaritan Medical Center at 315-785-4053 or [email protected].

###

November 7, 2024November 7, 2024

Samaritan Unveils Expanded Inpatient Mental Health Unit

Ribbon cutting portrait from Samaritan's Inpatient Mental Health Unit new rooms. The picture shows Samaritan and community leaders.

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center officials unveiled the newly expanded Inpatient Mental Health Unit (IMHU) during a ribbon cutting event on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. The Kinney Drugs Foundation/Kinney Drugs Inpatient Mental Health Unit redesign began over a decade ago to improve the patient experience.

“When this construction project began it was more about improving the quality of the patient care space and the environment in which we treated our patients as opposed to increasing our capacity,” stated Tina O’Neil, director of mental health at Samaritan. “We looked to upgrade the unit and add more privacy for patients, plus we added group rooms and meeting rooms for family meetings. We focused on soft calming colors and artwork, and all new furniture.”

Plans to improve this hospital unit began in 2006 as the organization outlined the hospital facility master plan to address the aging facilities and to add new space where needed. There were four distinct phases planned and the official opening of the inpatient mental health unit marks the fourth and final phase as complete.

“This ribbon cutting is more than to celebrate the new space for the inpatient mental health patients. This is culmination of the work that has went into the last project of our 2006 facilities master planning project,” said Thomas H. Carman, president and CEO of Samaritan Medical Center. “Almost a decade later we can say we completed what we set out to do and with IMHU in particular we were able to pivot this project to meet the current needs of our patients and the community.”

Prior to construction, the unit had 32 beds and by the end of construction was set to have 34. In 2023, Samaritan officials requested a change to the project and was approved to move forward by the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH). This allowed the unit design to pivot and add five additional private rooms for patients for a total of 39 with two of these including negative pressure capability for mental health patients who also have a communicable disease such as COVID-19 or Influenza.

‘We watched the needs of our community change prior to and during the pandemic. We did not have private rooms on the unit, nor in the current construction plan, and with OMH’s approval, we were able to make this shift,” said O’Neil. “Patients need private space for hygiene, gender, infectious disease and other reasons, and now we can accommodate them better with private rooms.”

Although the funds to complete this portion of the phase four construction project were budgeted around $12 million dollars, construction costs soared as time went on and adding the five additional private rooms had a cost of $2.2 million dollars extra. The Samaritan Foundation looked to the community and corporate donors to help offset the costs.

“Kinney Drugs and the Kinney Drugs Foundation have supported every major capital project initiative Samaritan has embarked on, as well as major corporate partner and supporter of Children’s Miracle Network,’ stated Carman. “Their commitment to the communities they serve is unwavering and Samaritan is appreciative of their support of this unit, named in their honor.”

During the ribbon cutting event, Mr. Carman thanked the generous donors who supported the need for increased mental health services in our community. The leading donors to this project were Kinney Drugs, the Kinney Drugs Foundation, Catherine and Bill Quencer, Samaritan Medical Center Foundation donors along with Foundation event proceeds from A North Country Festival of Trees and the Thousand Islands Golf Tournament.

###

You are now leaving samaritanhealth.com